Mestemaker & Straub

Dive into the wonders of the underwater world at the unique Downtown Aquarium, where you can interact with the ancient legends of El Dorado in the Sunken Temple, sink to the bottom of the neighboring sea, and catch glimpses of offshore rig divers in the Underwater Rig. Tour the marsh and bayous of the Gulf Coast and encounter the alligators, turtles, bullfrogs, and more in the Texas Bayou. Step inside the sunken hull of a 17th-century Spanish Galleon and see the giant octopus, a moray eel, clownfish, and the diversity of species the ocean world has to offer at the Shipwreck. Explore the lush environment of the dangerous tropical life of the red-bellied piranhas and venomous freshwater stingrays in the Rainforest. Step into Discovery Zone and come face-to-face with electric eels, seahorses, and a dazzling array of colorful fish. Interactive monitors let you further explore coral reefs, the arctic seas, and the mysteries of the deep ocean. You may even meet one of our Ambassador Animals up close during the daily Animal Encounters.

The Bayou City Art Festival is one of the top 200 iconic Arts Festivals in the world that showcases the works of several artists placed in 19 different categories at Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park in the spring and at Bayou City Art Festival Downtown in the fall. Enjoy the vibrant arts community, where you can experience a high-caliber show and a culturally dynamic environment that displays an outdoor gallery of original works, one-of-a-kind art, world-class pieces, delicious food, great music, fun entertainment, and an opportunity to meet 280 select artists worldwide, all while creating a memorable and spirited good time with family and friends.